It was at that point that the entire saga took a turn. Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas accused Gyökeres’s agent of “blackmail” and rejected the existence of an agreement which would see the striker sold for well below his €100 million (£85.1 million, $115.4 million) release clause.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, United remain well in the hunt for the Swedish forward. Gyokeres is reportedly unhappy over his perception that Sporting have increased the price tag they were willing to accept for his departure. Arsenal are reported to have made offers for the 27-year-old.